Rule2025-20910
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
November 25, 2025
Effective
December 30, 2025
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2023-14- 09, which applied to certain Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and -1041 airplanes. AD 2023-14-09 required an inspection for missing or incorrectly applied sealant in the wing tanks, applicable corrective actions, and a modification to restore two independent layers of lightning strike protection. Since the FAA issued AD 2023-14-09, Airbus provided inspection instructions for a new inspection area of the upper and lower, front and rear spar corner fittings for certain airplanes. This AD continues to require the actions in AD 2023-14-09, and requires a one-time detailed inspection (DET) for missing or incorrectly applied sealant of the front and rear spars for certain airplanes and applicable corrective actions. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 225 (Tuesday, November 25, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 225 (Tuesday, November 25, 2025)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 53200-53203]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-20910]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2025-0340; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00462-T;
Amendment 39-23158; AD 2025-20-05]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2023-14-
09, which applied to certain Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and -1041
airplanes. AD 2023-14-09 required an inspection for missing or
incorrectly applied sealant in the wing tanks, applicable corrective
actions, and a modification to restore two independent layers of
lightning strike protection. Since the FAA issued AD 2023-14-09, Airbus
provided inspection instructions for a new inspection area of the upper
and lower, front and rear spar corner fittings for certain airplanes.
This AD continues to require the actions in AD 2023-14-09, and requires
a one-time detailed inspection (DET) for missing or incorrectly applied
sealant of the front and rear spars for certain airplanes and
applicable corrective actions. The FAA is issuing this AD to address
the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective December 30, 2025.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of December 30,
2025.
ADDRESSES:
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2025-0340; or in person at Docket Operations between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD
docket contains this final rule, the mandatory continuing airworthiness
information (MCAI), any comments received, and other information. The
address for Docket Operations is U.S. Department of Transportation,
Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200
New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
Material Incorporated by Reference:
<bullet> For European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) material
identified in this AD, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668
Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#0140457241646072602f6474736e71602f6474"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="6a2b2e192a0f0b190b440f1f18051a0b440f1f">[email protected]</span></a>.
You may find this material on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu.
<bullet> For Airbus material identified in this AD, contact Airbus
SAS, Airworthiness Office--EAL, Rond-Point Emile Dewoitine No: 2, 31700
Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone +33 5 61 93 36 96; fax +33 5 61 93 45
80; email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#5d3e3233293433283839703c342f2a322f29353433382e2e733c6e686d1d613c7d352f383b60" http: airbus.com">airbus.com</a>">continued-airworthiness.a350@<a href="http://airbus.com">airbus.com</a></a>; website <a href="http://airbus.com">airbus.com</a>.
<bullet> You may view this material at the FAA, Airworthiness
Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des
Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the
FAA, call 206-231-3195. It is also available at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2025-0340.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Promita Dey, Aviation Safety Engineer,
FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone 316-946-
4106; email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#8dfdffe2e0e4f9eca3e9e8f4cdebececa3eae2fb"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="7505071a181c01145b11100c351314145b121a03">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 to supersede AD 2023-14-09, Amendment 39-22509 (88 FR
51227, August 3, 2023) (AD 2023-14-09). AD 2023-14-09 applied to
certain Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and -1041 airplanes. AD 2023-14-09
required an inspection for missing or incorrectly applied sealant in
the wing tanks, applicable corrective actions, and a modification to
restore the two independent layers of lightning strike protection. AD
2023-14-09 corresponds to EASA AD 2022-0250, dated December 14, 2022
(EASA AD 2022-0250). The FAA issued AD 2023-14-09 to address missing or
incorrect application of the lightning strike edge glow sealant
protection at specific locations on the wing tanks. This sealant
provides the second layer or protection to prevent stringer edge glow
in case of lightning strike.
The NPRM was published in the Federal Register on March 11, 2025
(90 FR 11683). The NPRM was prompted by AD 2024-0155, dated August 13,
2024, issued by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member
States of the European Union (EASA AD 2024-0155) (also referred to as
the MCAI). The MCAI states that since EASA AD 2022-0250 was issued,
Airbus published inspection instructions for a new one-time DET for
missing or incorrect application of the lightning strike edge glow
sealant protection of the affected upper and lower front and rear spar
corner fittings between Rib 1 and Rib 2 for certain airplanes (i.e., an
additional affected area not identified in EASA AD 2022-0250), and
depending on findings, accomplishment of applicable corrective actions.
Missing or incorrectly applied sealant, combined with a pre-existing
undetected incorrect installation of an adjacent fastener, if not
detected and corrected, could create an ignition source for the fuel
vapor inside the tanks, which, in case of a lightning strike of high
intensity in the immediate area, could possibly result in ignition of
the fuel-air mixture in the affected fuel tank and consequent loss of
the airplane.
In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to continue to require the actions in
AD 2023-14-09 and proposed to require a one-time DET for missing or
incorrectly applied sealant of the front and rear spars for certain
airplanes and applicable corrective actions, as specified in EASA AD
2024-0155. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition
on these products.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2025-0340.
Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive
Comments
The FAA received comments from the Air Line Pilots Association,
International, (ALPA) and ProTech Aero Services Limited (ProTech) who
supported the NPRM without change.
The FAA received an additional comment from Delta Air Lines
(Delta). The following presents the comment received on the NPRM and
the FAA's response to the comment.
Request for Continue Use of Previously Approved Alternative Methods of
Compliance (AMOCs)
Delta requested the FAA grant approval to continue using the
previously approved AMOC AIR-731-23-00454a, dated November 1, 2023.
Delta stated that the FAA had approved the stated AMOC, allowing the
omission of pipe tests if the pipes were not removed during access, for
AD 2023-14-09. Delta noted this proposed AD retains the requirements of
AD 2023-14-09.
[[Page 53201]]
The FAA disagrees with the commenter's request. This AD adds
additional affected areas for inspection; therefore a new AMOC is
required or a revision to AMOC AIR-731-23-00454a, dated November 1,
2023, is required that includes those additional inspection areas. The
FAA has not changed the AD in this regard.
Conclusion
These products have been approved by the civil aviation authority
of another country and are approved for operation in the United States.
Pursuant to the FAA's bilateral agreement with this State of Design
Authority, that authority has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition
described in the MCAI referenced above. The FAA reviewed the relevant
data, considered any comments received, and determined that air safety
requires adopting this AD as proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing
this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. Except for
minor editorial changes, this AD is adopted as proposed in the NPRM.
None of the changes will increase the economic burden on any operator.
Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed EASA AD 2024-0155, which specifies procedures for
an inspection for discrepancies (missing or incorrect application of
the lightning strike edge glow sealant protection) at certain locations
in the wing tanks, and corrective actions. EASA AD 2024-0155 also
specifies procedures for sealant application to the lower and/or upper
rib feet in the wings and an inspection for missing or incorrectly
applied sealant on the upper and lower, front and rear spar corner
fittings between Rib 1 and Rib 2 for certain airplanes, and corrective
actions. Corrective actions include applying sealant in areas where
sealant was found to be missing or incorrectly applied.
The FAA also reviewed Airbus Service Bulletin A350-57-P067, dated
September 17, 2020; Airbus Service Bulletin A350-57-P070, Revision 01,
dated March 14, 2022; Airbus Service Bulletin A350-57-P072, dated June
24, 2022; Airbus Service Bulletin A350-57-P073, dated June 24, 2022;
Airbus Service Bulletin A350-57-P074, dated June 24, 2022; and Airbus
Service Bulletin A350-57-P091, dated May 30, 2024; which identify
affected airplanes. These documents are distinct since they apply to
different airplane configurations.
This material is reasonably available because the interested
parties have access to it through their normal course of business or by
the means identified in the ADDRESSES section.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 36 airplanes of U.S.
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
Estimated Costs for Required Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Retained actions from AD 2023-14- Up to 225 work- Up to $500........ Up to $19,625..... Up to $706,500.
09. hours x $85 per
hour = $19,125.
New actions..................... Up to 39 work- $0................ Up to $3,315...... Up to $119,340.
hours x $85 per
hour = $3,315.
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The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary
corrective action that would be required based on the results of any
required actions. The FAA has no way of determining the number of
aircraft that might need the corrective actions:
Estimated Costs of Corrective Actions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost per
Labor cost Parts cost product
------------------------------------------------------------------------
10 work-hours x $85 per hour = $850. Minimal............... $850
------------------------------------------------------------------------
According to the manufacturer, some or all of the costs of this AD
may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on
affected operators. The FAA does not control warranty coverage for
affected operators. As a result, the FAA has included all known costs
in the cost estimate.
Authority for This Rulemaking
Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII: Aviation Programs,
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
The FAA is issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: General requirements.
Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with promoting safe flight
of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing regulations for
practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator finds necessary
for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within the scope of that
authority because it addresses an unsafe condition that is likely to
exist or develop on products identified in this rulemaking action.
Regulatory Findings
This AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order
13132. This AD will not have a substantial direct effect on the States,
on the relationship between the national government and the States, or
on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various
levels of government.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866,
(2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(3) Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
[[Page 53202]]
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
The Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
0
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by:
0
a. Removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2023-14-09, Amendment 39-22509
(88 FR 51227, August 3, 2023); and
0
b. Adding the following new AD:
2025-20-05 Airbus SAS: Amendment 39-23158; Docket No. FAA-2025-0340;
Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00462-T.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective December 30,
2025.
(b) Affected ADs
This AD replaces AD 2023-14-09, Amendment 39-22509 (88 FR 51227,
August 3, 2023) (AD 2023-14-09).
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and -1041
airplanes, certificated in any category, with manufacturer serial
numbers (MSN) identified in any service bulletin listed in
paragraphs (c)(1) through (6) of this AD.
(1) Airbus Service Bulletin A350-57-P067, dated September 17,
2020.
(2) Airbus Service Bulletin A350-57-P070, Revision 01, dated
March 14, 2022.
(3) Airbus Service Bulletin A350-57-P072, dated June 24, 2022.
(4) Airbus Service Bulletin A350-57-P073, dated June 24, 2022.
(5) Airbus Service Bulletin A350-57-P074, dated June 24, 2022.
(6) Airbus Service Bulletin A350-57-P091, dated May 30, 2024.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 57, Wings.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports of missing or incorrect
application of the lightning strike edge glow sealant protection at
specific locations on the wing tanks. The FAA is issuing this AD to
address missing or incorrectly applied sealant. The unsafe
condition, if not addressed, could result in ignition of the fuel-
air mixture in the affected fuel tank and consequent loss of the
airplane.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Requirements
Except as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD: Comply with all
required actions and compliance times specified in, and in
accordance with, European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD
2024-0155, dated August 13, 2024 (EASA AD 2024-0155).
(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2024-0155
(1) Where EASA AD 2024-0155 refers to its effective date, this
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) Where paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2024-0155 gives a compliance
time of ``the next scheduled maintenance tank entry, or before
exceeding 78 months since aeroplane date of manufacture, whichever
occurs first after 27 October 2020 [the effective date of EASA AD
2020-0220],'' for this AD, the compliance time is the later of the
times specified in paragraphs (h)(2)(i) and (ii) of this AD.
(i) The next scheduled maintenance tank entry, or before
exceeding 78 months since airplane date of manufacture, whichever
occurs first after September 30, 2021 (the effective date of AD
2021-16-03, Amendment 39-21665 (86 FR 47555, August 26, 2021) (AD
2021-16-03)).
(ii) Within 12 months after September 30, 2021 (the effective
date of AD 2021-16-03).
(3) Where paragraph (4) of EASA AD 2024-0155 gives a compliance
time of ``the next scheduled maintenance tank entry, or before
exceeding 78 months since aeroplane date of manufacture, whichever
occurs first after 04 February 2022 [the effective date of EASA AD
2022-0011],'' for this AD, the compliance time is the later of the
times specified in paragraphs (h)(3)(i) and (ii) of this AD.
(i) The next scheduled maintenance tank entry, or before
exceeding 78 months since airplane date of manufacture, whichever
occurs first after November 29, 2022 (the effective date of AD 2022-
17-09, Amendment 39-22147 (87 FR 64375, October 25, 2022) (AD 2022-
17-09)).
(ii) Within 12 months after November 29, 2022 (the effective
date of AD 2022-17-09).
(4) Where paragraph (5) of EASA AD 2024-0155 gives a compliance
time of ``the next scheduled maintenance tank entry, or before
exceeding 78 months since aeroplane date of manufacture, whichever
occurs first after 28 December 2022 [the effective date of EASA AD
2022-0250],'' for this AD, the compliance time is the later of the
times specified in paragraphs (h)(4)(i) and (ii) of this AD.
(i) The next scheduled maintenance tank entry, or before
exceeding 78 months since airplane date of manufacture, whichever
occurs first after September 7, 2023 (the effective date of AD 2023-
14-09).
(ii) Within 12 months after September 7, 2023 (the effective
date of AD 2023-14-09).
(5) Where paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2024-0155 gives a compliance
time of ``the next scheduled maintenance tank entry, or before
exceeding 78 months after the effective date of this [EASA] AD,''
for this AD, the compliance time is the later of the times specified
in paragraphs (h)(5)(i) and (ii) of this AD.
(i) The next scheduled maintenance tank entry, or before
exceeding 78 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever
occurs first.
(ii) Within 2 months after the effective date of this AD.
(6) Where paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2024-0155 refers to
``discrepancies,'' for this AD, discrepancies include missing or
incorrectly applied sealant.
(7) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD
2024-0155.
(i) Additional AD Provisions
The following provisions also apply to this AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, AIR-
520, Continued Operational Safety Branch, FAA, has the authority to
approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found
in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request
to your principal inspector or responsible Flight Standards Office,
as appropriate. If sending information directly to the manager of
the Continued Operational Safety Branch, send it to the attention of
the person identified in paragraph (j) of this AD and email to:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#67262a28242701060649000811"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="17565a58545771767639707861">[email protected]</span></a>.
(i) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager
of the responsible Flight Standards Office.
(2) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any requirement in this AD
to obtain instructions from a manufacturer, the instructions must be
accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, AIR-520,
Continued Operational Safety Branch, FAA; or EASA; or Airbus SAS's
EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the
approval must include the DOA-authorized signature.
(3) Required for Compliance (RC): Except as required by
paragraph (i)(2) of this AD, if any material contains procedures or
tests that are identified as RC, those procedures and tests must be
done to comply with this AD; any procedures or tests that are not
identified as RC are recommended. Those procedures and tests that
are not identified as RC may be deviated from using accepted methods
in accordance with the operator's maintenance or inspection program
without obtaining approval of an AMOC, provided the procedures and
tests identified as RC can be done and the airplane can be put back
in an airworthy condition. Any substitutions or changes to
procedures or tests identified as RC require approval of an AMOC.
(j) Additional Information
For more information about this AD, contact Promita Dey,
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA
98198; telephone 316-946-4106; email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#5d2d2f323034293c733938241d3b3c3c733a322b"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="99e9ebf6f4f0edf8b7fdfce0d9fff8f8b7fef6ef">[email protected]</span></a>.
(k) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference of the material listed in this paragraph
under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) You must use this material as applicable to do the actions
required by this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise.
[[Page 53203]]
(i) Airbus Service Bulletin A350-57-P067, dated September 17,
2020.
(ii) Airbus Service Bulletin A350-57-P070, Revision 01, dated
March 14, 2022.
(iii) Airbus Service Bulletin A350-57-P072, dated June 24, 2022.
(iv) Airbus Service Bulletin A350-57-P073, dated June 24, 2022.
(v) Airbus Service Bulletin A350-57-P074, dated June 24, 2022.
(vi) Airbus Service Bulletin A350-57-P091, dated May 30, 2024.
(vii) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2024-0155,
dated August 13, 2024.
(3) For EASA material identified in this AD, contact EASA,
Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221
8999 000; email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#fabbbe89ba9f9b899bd49f8f88958a9bd49f8f"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="5a1b1e291a3f3b293b743f2f28352a3b743f2f">[email protected]</span></a>; website easa.europa.eu. You may
find this material on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu.
(4) For Airbus material identified in this AD, contact Airbus
SAS, Airworthiness Office--EAL, Rond-Point Emile Dewoitine No: 2,
31700 Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone +33 5 61 93 36 96; fax +33 5
61 93 45 80; email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#086b67667c61667d6d6c2569617a7f677a7c6061666d7b7b26693b3d3848346928607a6d6e35" http: airbus.com">airbus.com</a>">continued-airworthiness.a350@<a href="http://airbus.com">airbus.com</a></a>; website
<a href="http://airbus.com">airbus.com</a>.
(5) You may view this material at the FAA, Airworthiness
Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th St.,
Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this material
at the FAA, call 206-231-3195.
(6) You may view this material at the National Archives and
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability
of this material at NARA, visit <a href="http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations">www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations</a>, or email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#2147530f484f5251444255484e4f614f4053400f464e57"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="86e0f4a8efe8f5f6e3e5f2efe9e8c6e8e7f4e7a8e1e9f0">[email protected]</span></a>.
Issued on September 24, 2025.
Peter A. White,
Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-20910 Filed 11-24-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.